"Easy Action" is every bit as good as the more commercial "Killer" & "Love It To Death," which both followed a year later. This album hypnotically rocks the listener into a state of post-psychedelic, proto-metal frenzy.

Quite possibly the first album to use the line, "got a rocket in your pocket" (which KISS shamelessly stole, in 1976, on "Take Me" - track 2 on "Rock 'N Roll Over"), the underrated "Easy Action" was a blueprint of creepy, eerie, long-haired, things to come in the '70s and '80s.

I would consider "Easy Action" every bit an equal to Deep Purple's seminal masterpiece, "In Rock." Any serious fan, who is interested in the origins of hard rock should buy this long obscured classic.


"You are the only censor. If you don't like what I say, you have a choice. You can turn me off."   August 18, 2005
Robert (USA)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful


"EASY ACTION"

REVIEW:

This is the Alice Cooper Group's second album and it certainly shows you signs of where this band was eventually headed. Producer David Briggs, who at one time also produced Neil Young, does a fine job of helping the band develop their sound. The album is diverse with psychadelic-like rockers to Beatles-esque tracks to more conventional 70's rock, "Easy Action" is an album that is often overlooked (even by some Alice Cooper fans) and is definitely worth picking up. Standout tracks: "Mr. And Mrs. Demeanor," "Below Your Means" and "Lay Down And Die, Goodbye".

BAND:

Alice Cooper ... Vocals
Neal Smith ... Drums and Vocals
Dennis Dunaway ... Bass and Vocals
Glen Buxton ... Lead Guitar
Michael Bruce ... Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Piano and Organ
David Briggs ... Piano (on "Shoe Salesman")

INTERESTING FACTS:

1. Released in June of 1970, "Easy Action" would peak at #89 on the Billboard Top 200.

2. Rhythm Guitarist Michael Bruce's lead vocals (not Alice's) are featured on both "Beauftiful Flyaway" and "Below Your Means".

3. It is Tom Smother's voice who says, "You are the only censor. If you don't like what I say, you have a choice. You can turn me off" at the beginning of "Lay Down And Die, Goodbye".
PACKAGING:

Nothing really special. Just some group photos and nothing more.

APPROX. RUNNING TIME:

33 min. and 23 sec.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

"Easy Action" is not as great as its follow-up "Love It To Death," but it is certainly better than their debut release. The album could benefit from being remastered but as is, I'll give it **** out of 5.




Alice Cooper - 'Easy Action' (Capitol)   September 27, 2005
Mike Reed (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Originally released in 1970,as this was the original band's second lp.About as good as the first effort 'Pretties For You'(see my review).As I remember,BOTH albums were pretty much a stiff UNTIL 'Billion Dollar Babies' became a million seller.After the Alice Cooper Group had become world known,that's when fans became interested in their early works such as 'Easy Action'.You can hear their Zappa influence.As for myself,I've never been that much of a Frank Zappa fan.Also felt the band's first two records showed just how much Alice&crew were,in fact ahead of their time.'Easy Action' is like part weird psychedelic and part hard rock.Tunes here I thought were impressive include "Mr.&Misdemeanor","Below Your Means","Return Of The Spiders"(dedicated to Gene Vincent)and "Lay Down And Die Goodbye".One of Cooper's lesser known gems.Recommended.